Not Your Dad's Western Ave.: Trendy Bars, Shops Bring New Flavor To Beverly

Open Outcry Brewing Co. (top left) debuted July 21 at 10934 S. Western Ave. in Morgan Park. Keith Lewis (top right) moved Bookie's July 1 to 10324 S. Western Ave. in Beverly. The mother-and-daughter team of Margo and Ayisha Strotter opened their second location of Ain't She Sweet Cafe March 6 at 9920 S. Western Ave. in Beverly. The Beverly Woods served customers for 63 years at 11532 S. Western Ave. before owner Bill McGann decided to close the Morgan Park banquet hall, restaurant and bar Sunday. View Full Caption

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BEVERLY — The stretch of Western Avenue that runs from 91st Street in Beverly to 119th Street in Morgan Park has long been synonymous with bars painted Kelly green and adorned in shamrocks.

These dimly-lit Irish pubs have served bottles upon bottles of light beer for decades. And as for food, it would be hard to find a two-mile strip with more pizza parlors anywhere. Other comfort foods abound, including late-night subs, Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef and more.

But many of the newcomers to this commercial stretch have bucked the trend, bringing a fresh vibe to the businesses district by adding craft beer, healthy food options, shops designed to take advantage of natural light and more.

Connors's group represents the businesses on this busy strip and added that new enterprises — including bars — have largely gone away from focusing a very small group of customers living in the immediate vicinity. The new entrants seem to be trying to attract a larger, more regional customer base, she said.

Here's a look at some of the new additions (and a few subtractions) to the business district in recent years. The new arrivals mostly shun the idea the area will forever be known merely as the home of the ready-made pub crawl known as the "Western Avenue Death March."

Pilkington actually expanded previous tenant's footprint, filling the storefront to the south with mismatched wood tables and chairs. In doing so, Bridgeport Coffee seems to have found an audience of those eager to get out of the house while also taking advantage of the free WiFi.

Not all the development on Western Avenue has worked out well for Beverly. Potbelly Sandwich Shop will soon move from the southeast corner of 95th Street and Western Avenue across the street to a new storefront in Evergreen Plaza.

Many neighborhood residents bemoaned the loss of Koda Bistro in July 2013, but The Quilter's Trunk has found success converting the white table cloth restaurant at 10352 S. Western Ave. to a sanctuary for sewing enthusiasts.

The renovated pub nearly doubled in size and was renamed Barney Callaghan's, after the family's late dog. A vaulted ceiling that's made to look like the inside of wine barrel has been attracting customers since the bar reopened Aug. 27, 2015.

Beverly-based First In Realty Executives Inc. is handing the deal for the 26,000-square-foot structure. The building had been known for its towering columns, several of which were removed in the renovation. Others were kept and will be enclosed as part of the redesign.

With new floors, a fresh coat of paint and a few other improvements, Kelly's Tap is a throwback to the bars that have defined the strip for decades. Kelly is also hoping patrons of nearby Home Run Inn and Open Outcry Brewing Co. will stop in for a drink after dinner.

The brewery that pairs craft its beer with Neapolitan-style pizzas opened July 21 at 10934 S. Western Ave. Owner John Brand walked away from his career in the futures market March 9, 2016, to buy O'Brien's Pub.

He then converted the pub and several adjacent storefronts into the brewery that features a roll-up garage door that opens the street. This allows fresh air to fill the brewery as the weather permits.

Chef A.J. Castillo hopes to soon have the necessary permits to begin construction on Americanos, a restaurant selling tacos and tortas. Castillo's first restaurant will replace Leona's at 11060 S. Western Ave. in Morgan Park.

He said the design will be far more trendy than traditional Mexican restaurants, favoring alternative rock music over mariachi bands.

The Beverly Woods served customers for 63 years at 11532 S. Western Ave. before owner Bill McGann decided to close the banquet hall, restaurant and bar Sunday.

McGann said the building needed both cosmetic upgrades and costly infrastructure improvements. His two children wanted to pursue other interests, and McGann, 67, did not want the burden of a large loan.

Cullinan admitted that the bar scene on Western Avenue has changed since he opened 29 years ago. He said those that have invested heavily in their businesses in recent years have seen success, while many of he older spots have struggled.

The menu at Global Kitchen in Morgan Park is as eclectic as the flags that fly outside the restaurant at 11722 S. Western Ave. Owner Essy Glenn of Beverly serves American favorites like pork chops and chicken wings alongside Asian cuisine, French delicacies and more.

The restaurant's dining area reflects this same variety. Opened May 27, 2016, Global Kitchen is carved up into tiny rooms. Each room is designed to take hungry customers on a visit to different countries, including Mexico, Japan, England and beyond.